THE SUPPORTERS that packed Rodney Parade for the visits of Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur will never forget the famous FA Cup encounters, yet Newport County AFC had to earn the chance to upset the odds.

Walsall were beaten at Rodney Parade in round one and County were in the hat for round three, when the big guns enter the competition, thanks to a 2-0 win against Cambridge.

That 2-0 win in front of 2,748 fans was down to a Joss Labadie double before the crowd swelled to 6,887 for the upset against Leeds and 9,836 when Harry Kane scrambled for a draw for Spurs.

The big games were earned by edging out a League Two opponent in round two and the Exiles will hope for a repeat when Salford City visit on Saturday (kick-off 1pm).

Labadie tussled with Kalvin Phillips, Eric Dier, Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele in 2017/18 and the following season was pitting himself against Manchester City's David Silva, Fernandinho and Phil Foden in midfield.

The captain is hoping to get the chance to add some more stellar Premier League names to his list of rivals.

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"We go into every game trying to win and in seasons gone by we have done well in the FA Cup," he said.

"That will be no different this year we will be hoping to come away with a win and hopefully have another cup run.

"We have had some great days in the FA Cup. The boys who have come in this season know what's required and how we treat the FA Cup which is really important.

"We are all professionals, so all the players know what the FA Cup means not only to us but every football player. It's a great chance to showcase ourselves and showcase what we have as a team."

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County, who claimed the scalps of Swansea and Watford in the Carabao Cup at the start of the season, are top of League Two and promotion is their main aim.

The skipper is confident that they marry the hunt for FA Cup progress with the bread and butter of the league, with the short trip to Forest Green Rovers next up on Tuesday.

"In seasons gone by we have probably been distracted by the FA Cup and may have been looking too far ahead at the FA Cup fixtures," said Labadie. "We have to keep our feet on the ground and take each game as it comes."

County will be looking for a response after losing their 100 per cent Rodney Parade record in League Two on Tuesday.

Walsall shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw but the Exiles maintained their three-point lead at the top of the table courtesy of Cheltenham and Cambridge drawing.

"We have certainly played better on many occasions this season, it was one of those nights but it was another point on the board and we are still clear at the top," said Labadie.

"Maybe in seasons gone by we would have lost that and come away with nothing but it was testament to us as a team that we stayed in the game even when the going got tough.

"Teams are coming to Rodney Parade and have paid us a lot of respect because we are definitely a force to be reckoned with.

"We have had a great start but can't rest on our laurels. We have to keep pushing and maintain the performances that we have put in so far because we haven't achieved anything yet.

"Nobody is getting carried away and we are all pulling in the same direction and striving for the same thing."